Public Policy Forum Research

Sound economic development policy is critical to creating jobs, stabilizing local government budgets, and enhancing the region’s quality of life. The Public Policy Forum conducts a variety of research that is designed to inform government and community leaders about the impacts of local economic development policies and practices, as well as best practices nationally. We will continue our in-depth analysis of issues releated to workforce development, transportation, housing, land use, local government economic development policy, tax increment financing, income migration, and related issues.

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Publications

Unemployment remains a persistent problem in Milwaukee -- particularly in central city neighborhoods where poverty has been heavily concentrated for many years. In this analysis, we seek to understand the factors preventing unemployed jobseekers...

In recent years, concerns have been raised by neighborhood-based organizations in Milwaukee regarding the stability of key public funding sources that support their programs. To better understand the extent to which local community development...

Plan commissions play an important role in municipal government proceedings throughout Wisconsin; nearly every municipality has one and many local officials view them as a critical component of local land use decision-making. But what exactly do...

This report explores common strategies that transit systems around the country have utilized to enhance the speed and efficiency of their bus services, and considers their potential for implementation in the Milwaukee area. These strategies may hold...

The revitalization of Milwaukee’s Menomonee Valley as an industrial, recreational, and entertainment district has been lauded both locally and nationally as a successful and sustainable urban redevelopment project. In this report, the Public Policy...

In recent years, the divergence between where workers live in the Milwaukee area and where jobs are located – also known as the “spatial mismatch” – has been well documented, particularly in the context of declining public transportation services in...